Hatches for use in boats

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a hatch opening on two opposite sides, which is mounted on a frame by articulation means disposed on two opposite faces of the hatch and the frame, wherein the articulation means comprise a plurality of pairs of lugs respectively integral with the hatch and the frame, at least one pair of which comprises a lug integral with the hatch which presents a housing open on one side, constituting a bearing in which is pivotally mounted a pin fixed to another lug integral with the frame and of which at least one other pair comprises a lug integral with the frame which presents a housing open on the opposite side, in which is pivotally mounted a pin fixed on another lug integral with the hatch. This hatch is intended for use on boat decks and roofs.

[4 1 Jan. 21, 1975 HATCHES FOR USE IN BOATS [75] Inventor: Jean R.Goiot, Nantes, France [73] Assignee: Moteurs Goiot, Nantes, France [22]Filed: Dec. 13, 1972 [21] Appl, No.: 314,789

Primary ExaminerKenneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or FirmBucknam andArcher [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a hatch opening on twoopposite sides, which is mounted on a frame by articulation meansdisposed on two opposite faces of the hatch and the frame, wherein thearticulation means comprise a plurality of pairs of lugs respectivelyintegral with the hatch and the frame, at least one pair of whichcomprises a lug integral with the hatch which presents a housing open onone side, constituting a bearing in which is pivotally mounted a pinfixed to another lug integral with the frame and of which at least oneother pair comprises a lug integral with the frame which presents ahousing open on the opposite side, in which is pivotally mounted a pinfixed on another lug integral with the hatch.

This hatch is intended for use on boat decks and roofs.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HATCHES FOR USE IN BOATS The presentinvention relates to a hatch opening on two opposite sides, which may bemanoeuvred entirely from inside without outside intervention.

In boats, it is current practice to use hatches opening on one side,which enable different types of openings to be closed, locatedparticularly on the bridge of a boat, and ventilation to be ensured whenthere is fog or when it is raining hard.

However, the fact of ensuring the opening on one side only does notenable all the conditions of aeration which depend on the orientation ofthe wind and the boat to be fulfilled.

To remedy this disadvantage, hatches have already been made which openon two opposite sides, in which the means of articulation on a frame areconstituted by hinges whose pins are removable so as to enable the hatchto be released on one side, whilst conserving the means of articulationon the other side.

However, such a device presents numerous drawbacks, particularly as faras reassembling the pins in the hinges is concerned, in view of thedifficulties met with for engaging said pins in the holes of the hinges.Moreover, when the pins of the hinges are dismantled, the hatch may movefreely on the bridge of the vessel and,

in bad weather, it may be thrown into the sea. Furthermore, this devicemakes it necessary to go up onto the bridge to change sides as regardsthe pins of the hinges.

To remedy these disadvantages, a hatch opening on two opposite sides isused according to the invention, which presents means of articulation inwhich the pins remain integral with the hatch or frame and do notrequire any particular dismantling or reassembling of members.

In accordance with the invention, the hatch is mounted on a chassis byarticulation means disposed on two opposite faces of the hatch and theframe, said articulation means comprising a plurality of pairs of lugsintegral respectively with the hatch and the frame, at least one pair ofwhich comprises a lug integral with the hatch which presents a housingopen on one side constituting a bearing in which is pivotally mounted apin fixed to another lug integral with the frame and of which at leastone other pair comprises a lug integral with the frame which presents ahousing open on the opposite side, in which is pivotally mounted a pinfixed on another lug integral with the hatch.

With this articulation device, it is possible to raise the hatch fromthe inside or the outside as desired and even to turn the hatchcompletely back, the hatch resting on the bridge of the boat whilst thearticulation means remain engaged, thus ensuring that the hatch is heldin position and does not move on the bridge, as is the case with theknown devices.

Furthermore, the hatch is provided with concealable toggle fastenerswhich enable the hatch to be closed.

The invention will be more readily understood upon reading the followingdescription with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plane view of a hatch according to the invention, mounted onits frame.

FIG. 2 is a section along II-II of FIG. 1, of the hatch in closedposition.

FIG. 3 is the same view in section of the hatch open on the right-handside.

FIG. 4 is the same view in section of the hatch open on the left-handside.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show a hatch 1mounted on a frame 2 which may be fixed in particular to the roof anddeck of a boat.

The hatch 1 is constituted of a frame 3 made in particular of castmetal, like frame 2, and in which is mounted, with the interposition ofa seal 4, a sheet 5 of transparent or tinted plastics material.

On its circumference, the hatch l is provided with an elastic seal 6which may be compressed on the frame 2 to ensure the seal in closedposition.

On two of the opposite faces of the hatch 1 there are provided means forarticulating the hatch l to the frame 2, which comprise a first seriesof pairs of lugs 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, and a second series ofpairs of lugs 7a and 8a, 9a and 10a, 11a and 120. Since the articulationmeans are arranged symmetrically on the two sides of the hatch 1, onlythe means located on one side will be described.

As is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the lugs 8 and 12 which are integralwith the frame 2, present housings 13 and 14 open on one side andconstituting hearings in which are engaged pins 15, 16 fixedrespectively on the lugs 7 and 11 integral with the hatch 1.

In the median part of the hatch, between lugs 8 and 12, the lug 10 or10a integral with the frame 2 is provided with a pin 17, 17a which maybe mounted to pivot in a housing 18, 18a open on the side opposite thehousings 13 and 14, constituting a bearing and provided in a lug 9, 9aintegral with the hatch 1.

On each articulated side of the hatch are provided, on the inside,toggle fasteners 19, 19a, 19b, 19c which each comprise a rod 20 engagedin a hole of a lug 21 integral with the frame 2. The rod 20 has on theone hand a threaded end 22 on which a nut 23 is screwed and on the otherhand a head provided with two teats 24, 24a, which may abut on twobosses 25, 25a integral with the hatch 1 when this latter is closed andwhen the nut 23 is screwed against the lug 21 of the head and the teats24, 240.

Between the bosses 25, 250, there is a space 26 permitting the passageof the head and the bosses 24, 24a, to release the toggle fastener andpermit the hatch l to open.

There are provided on the two edges perpendicular to the edges bearingthe articulation means, two telescopic bars 27, 270 which comprise anelement 28 articulated about a screw 29 fixed to the hatch 1, saidelement 28 havng a bore in which is slidably mounted an element 30articulated about a screw 31 fixed to the frame 2. A lock screw 32 makesit possible to hold the telescopic bars 27, 27a in a positioncorresponding to a predetermined opening of the hatch 1, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

Furthermore, the hatch l is provided with outside handles 33, 33a andinside handles 34, 34a.

With the hatch 1 being closed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the togglefasteners being in tightened position, it is necessary, for opening thehatch, to unscrew the nuts 23 of the toggle fasteners 19, 19a, 19b, 19cand to release the teats 24, 24a, from bosses 25, 25a to permit theirpassage into the space 26.

Then, it is sufficient to pivot the hatch 1 either about pins 15, 16 and17 to open to the right, as shown in FIG. 3, or about pins 15a, 16a,17a, to open to the left, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the case of the hatch opening, in particular to the right, the pins aand 16a may be released from recesses 13a and 14a since their opening isdirected upwardly, whilst the housing 18a whose opening is directlydownwards on the side opposite the recesses 13a and 14a may be releasedfrom the pin 17a which is fixed to frame 2.

The telescopic bars 27, 27a contribute to the guiding of the hatch andensure that it is maintained in open position when the screws 32 and 32aare locked.

If the rocking movement is continued, the hatch 1 may be totally foldedback after the elements 28 and 30 have been separated from thetelescopic bars.

What I claim is:

l. A hatch assembly in which the hatch can be opened on a selected oneof two opposite sides, which comprises a frame, a hatch, andarticulation connector means disposed on each of two opposite sides ofsaid hatch to connect same to said frame for pivotal movement relativeto the frame about a selected one of two axes each located along acorresponding one of said opposite sides of the hatch, said connectormeans including on each side of the hatch at least one pin-bearing lugconnected to the hatch received in an open-housing lug connected to theframe, and at least one pinbearing lug connected to the frame receivedin an open-housing lug connected to the hatch, the openings of saidopen-housing lugs connected to the frame and connected to the hatchbeing oriented to face in respectively opposite directions.

2. A hatch assembly according to claim 1 including on each side of saidhatch a pair of pin-bearing lugs connected to the hatch and received inopen-housing lugs connected to said frame, and an open-housing lugconnected to the hatch between said pin-bearing lugs and receiving apin-bearing lug connected to said frame.

3. A hatch assembly according to claim 1 including releaseable lockmeans disposed on each side of said hatch, said lock means includingparts connected to said hatch and parts connected to said frame that arehatch at a corresponding open position.

1. A hatch assembly in which the hatch can be opened on a selected oneof two opposite sides, which comprises a frame, a hatch, andarticulation connector means disposed on each of two opposite sides ofsaid hatch to connect same to said frame for pivotal movement relativeto the frame about a selected one of two axes each located along acorresponding one of said opposite sides of the hatch, said connectormeans including on each side of the hatch at least one pin-bearing lugconnected to the hatch received in an open-housing lug connected to theframe, and at least one pin-bearing lug connected to the frame receivedin an open-housing lug connected to the hatch, the openings of saidopen-housing lugs connected to the frame and connected to the hatchbeing oriented to face in respectively opposite directions.
 2. A hatchassembly according to claim 1 including on each side of said hatch apair of pin-bearing lugs connected to the hatch and received inopen-housing lugs connected to said frame, and an open-housing lugconnected to the hatch between said pin-bearing lugs and receiving apin-bearing lug connected to said frame.
 3. A hatch assembly accordingto claim 1 including releaseable lock means disposed on each side ofsaid hatch, said lock means including parts connected to said hatch andparts connected to said frame that are mutually cooperable to secure thehatch to the frame in a closed position.
 4. A hatch assembly accordingto claim 1 including telescopically extendible brace means connected tosaid hatch and connected to said frame, said brace means including lockmeans operable to secure the brace means in a given state of extensionto hold the hatch at a corresponding open position.